In Amelia’s Notebook, Amelia complains about the terrible cafeteria food at her school, citing the fact that the brownies seem “fossilized” and the mystery mush looks like it’s made of dog food. I think we all have memories of gross cafeteria food (I can recall some particularly slimy sliced turkey), so I thought it would be fun to redeem a tired cafeteria standby: tater tots.

Amelia’s school tater tots are called “tater gems,” but she thinks they taste more like cardboard. To make some delicious, Amelia-worthy tots, I started with a simple recipe for tender, healthy baked tater tots from Wishful Chef and amped it up a bit with garlic powder, minced onion, and snipped parsley. I even made some honey sriracha ketchup to serve on the side! These tater tots are super easy and ultra flavorful. If Amelia’s school served them, they’d be a hit! 🙂

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Amelia’s Amped-Up Cafeteria Tater Tots

 “I brought my notebook with me to school so I can write down things to remember to tell Nadia. Right now it’s lunch time. Today’s hot lunch is beef stew, tater gems, canned peach slices, and a brownie. Yucch!”

— Amelia’s Notebook

 

INGREDIENTS:

• For the Tater Tots
  • 2 russet potatoes
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp minced onion
  • 1 tsp snipped fresh parsley
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/8 tsp pepper
• For the Ketchup
  • 1/4 cup ketchup
  • 1/2 tbsp sriracha
  • 1/2 tbsp honey
  • 1 squirt of lime juice

      

        Makes 28 tater tots

 

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. 1. Preheat your oven to 425°. Peel your potatoes and cut them in half. Place the potatoes in a pot of cold water and bring to a boil. Boil for 15 minutes. Drain the water, cover the pot, and let stand for 10 minutes.
   2. Mash the potatoes with the bottom of a glass. Stir in the seasonings until evenly incorporated.
   3. To shape the tots, press 1 tbsp of potato mix into a measuring spoon. Tap the mix out of the spoon into your palm and gently shape into 1 1/2-inch long cylinders.
      
   4. Line a baking sheet with a silicon mat and place the tater tots onto the sheet approximately 1 inch apart.
      
   5. Bake for 20 minutes on both sides.
      
   6. While the tots bake, stir all your ketchup ingredients together in a small bowl until combined.
   7. Serve to a cafeteria full of starving students!

      

      
       

Try our other potato recipes! 🙂

Fried Snowballs from James and the Giant Peach

Pioneer Sweet Potatoes from Little House on the Prairie

Sweet Potato Tigger Stripes from Winnie the Pooh

Duchess Potatoes from A Christmas Carol

Clam Chowder from Moby Dick

Side Dish: Moon Phase French Fries